Land-based Jobs

Agricultural Engineer • Animal Care Worker • Conservationist • Countryside Officer • Dog Groom • Environmental Consultant • Environmental Education Officer • Farm Worker • Farm Manager • Fishery Officer • Forestry Manager • Gamekeeper • Gardener • Landscaper •  ​Park Ranger •Tree Surgeon • Veterinarian • Veterinary Nurse • Waste Management Officer • Wildlife Manager • Woodland Officer

wildlife manager

You would protect Scotland’s countryside and help people who take part in recreational shooting, deer stalking and angling.

You would manage and care for wild and reared gamebirds - like partridge, grouse and pheasant - and deer. You would protect them from pests, preserve their habitats and control their populations so they thrive.

When you work at a shoot you would learn how to handle shotguns safely.

You would also handle the carcasses and maintain the necessary machines and equipment.

environmental Education officer

You would be involved in making people aware of environmental issues, promoting conservation and sustainability, and enhancing the public's enjoyment of the environment through teaching and interpreting the natural world.

The range of activities you will carry out varies from job to job. Some officers work mainly within schools, giving talks and taking part in and developing projects. You can also deliver presentations or host groups at relevant sites, such as nature reserves.

Others work with a range of age groups, for example leading guided nature walks for visitors or organising events and awareness campaigns.

You would:

• Research and develop educational programmes and resources for schools, adults, families, community groups 
• Promote educational programmes and resources to the target audience through leaflets, newsletters, websites, and in some cases, social media
• Give talks in schools or to community groups on environmental issues
• Teach groups and interpret the natural environment for them on-site by leading guided walks and answering questions
• Organise events and activities to raise awareness of environmental issues
• Act as a point of contact for teachers, educationalists and colleagues, and respond to requests for information on educational issues

At a more senior level, you might be involved in advising on and drafting environmental education policies and strategies for your organisation or the wider community.

animal care worker

You would look after animals living in kennels, catteries or rescue centres and keep them healthy and happy.

You could care for dogs and cats, or other animals such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. You might care for donkeys, horses or even parrots.

You would:

• Prepare food and feed the animals
• Keep animals clean and groom them
• Exercise dogs in a yard or take them for walks
• Clean out kennels, pens and cages, and change bedding
• Look after animals who become ill or distressed
• Answer queries from colleagues and visitors
• Maintain the animal enclosures

If you work in an animal sanctuary or rescue centre some animals may be injured or distressed when they arrive so you would have to try to keep them calm. You would need to be gentle and confident when you handle them during their treatment.

In some jobs you might also keep records, take bookings and advise owners on how to look after their animals.

You could also get a job as:

• An animal welfare assistant at an animal adoption or re-homing centre
• An animal collection officer for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA)
• An animal care auxiliary at an animal hospital

You might specialise in animal massage or hydrotherapy, working with animals recovering from injury or undergoing treatment for mobility problems.

environmental consultant

You would give advice to businesses and organisations about environmental issues.

You would assess the environmental impact of new developments or industries. You would help businesses to be greener.

You might advise on any issue including:

• Renewable energy
• Flood risk
• Waste and recycling
• Carbon emissions
• Climate change and emission management.

You would need to keep up to date with environmental legislation.

Depending on the project, you could:

• See if sites are suitable for new developments like power stations or wind farms
• Work out the environmental risk from industries like energy or chemical production
• Assess business practices to make sure organisations are meeting environmental laws and regulations
• Collect data in field studies on sites or in buildings
• Investigate contamination and report organisations who break environmental rules
• Respond to environmental accidents and manage cleanup operations
• Advise industry, organisations or the government on issues such as the disposal of waste

You would:

• Analyse and interpret the data gathered in field surveys
• Write scientific reports
• Present your findings and ideas
• You might explain to businesses how to meet rules and regulations. You could help them reduce their impact on the environment by changing to ‘greener’ processes and practices. For example, you may work with a chemical company to limit the levels of pollutants it releases into the air.

You would need to have a good understanding of business practices so you can work with organisations in a competitive commercial world.

conservationist

As a nature conservation officer you will work to protect, manage and enhance the local environment. This can include grassland, woodland, forests, coastal areas, moorland, mountains and rivers. Depending on the region, you might also work in marine habitats.

Part of the role is to encourage people to use the countryside and promote awareness of, and understanding the natural environment. You will develop policy which may have local and national impact. Job titles within this sector are varied and include:

• Conservation assistants and technicians
• Project officers or biodiversity officers
• Sustainable development officers

Responsibilities of  a nature conservation officer you'll need to:

• Educate all sectors of the local community, including local schools and colleges, and raise awareness of environmental issues and nature conservation officers' work
• Promote and implement local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local and national statutory and voluntary organisations
• Contribute to planning and policy development for sustainable management, including input into environmental impact assessments
• Provide advice to clients, employers, community groups, landowners, planners and developers
• Prepare and implement annual management plans based on ecological surveys and scientific observation
• Contribute to the selection of, and assist with casework for, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
• Evaluate and monitor features of nature conservation interest in habitats and sites
• Maintain and develop your own knowledge and skills, especially with regard to the knowledge of developments in policy, legislation, European and international regulations
• Promote the concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals through talks, tours, literature, displays and workshops
• Organise, supervise and train supporting paid staff and volunteers
• Maintain effective records using IT database systems
• Prepare applications to get funding and grants
• Assess applications for funding from other organisations
• Liaise with the media to publicise organisation or conservation sites;
• deal with enquiries from the public
• Educate young people, and those considering entering the profession, through talks and seminars to local colleges and universities

Park Ranger

You would try to make it easy for people to enjoy spending time in the countryside. You would improve access to interesting and beautiful places they would enjoy visiting.

You would explain scientific knowledge and facts in a way that’s easy to understand so they can learn more about nature and wildlife.

Your work would help to protect Scotland’s natural heritage - including woodlands, moors, rivers, hills, lochs and coastlines - for future generations.

You would advise people who live and work in the countryside about how to manage, protect and improve the rural environment. For example, you would persuade landowners to manage their land in ways that would conserve or increase the number of plants and animals living there.

You would also advise about opening land to the public so everyone can enjoy the countryside.

You would:

• Organise the upkeep of country parks and woodlands
• Make sure footpaths are clearly marked and litter bins and carparks are provided
• Produce resources like leaflets and information boards for the public
• Give talks to local groups
• Support local environmental events, activities and projects
• Conduct surveys, carry out research and analyse data
• Write reports and deliver presentations
• Comment on planning applications - for example, you’d assess how a new road or housing development might affect the environment
• Deal with complaints about issues such as rights of way becoming overgrown

You would also keep detailed records, prepare applications for funding, and possibly assess funding applications from other organisations.

Farm worker

You would do practical and manual work on a farm. You could look after animals like cows, chickens or pigs or grow and harvest crops.

You would operate farm machinery and do general repairs.

You could work on any of the three main types of farm:

• Farms that only have animals – livestock
• Farms that only have crops – arable
• Farms that have both – mixed

Your work would vary depending on the type of farm and the time of year.

If you work with livestock you would

• Feed the animals
• Clean (muck out) the buildings they are kept in
• Care for sick or newborn livestock
• Use milking machines with dairy cows

On an arable farm you would:

• Plough fields
• Sow seeds
• Spread fertiliser
• Spray crops with pesticides or weedkillers
• Harvest the crops

There are lots of other general tasks you would do regardless of what type of farm you work on.

You would:

• Operate farm machinery and vehicles such as tractors and combine harvesters
• Maintain and repair farm buildings
• Lay and trim hedges
• Dig and clear ditches
• Put up and mend fences

Your work would be supervised by the farm owner, manager, supervisor or landowner. You might also supervise casual staff and agricultural contractors.

You would need to develop technical knowledge for using the machinery and have an awareness of health and safety.

fishery officer

You would breed and rear fish and shellfish, monitor their water conditions and harvest the stock for sale at market.

You could grow fish such as salmon, trout and halibut for the food industry. Some fish farmers rear other types of fish to stock lakes and rivers for angling or for ornamental ponds.

You would:

• Breed fish by hatching eggs from adult stock
• Buy in young fish and rear them
• Feed fish by hand or by fill hoppers that feed them automatically
• Monitor the health of fish
• Grade fish or shellfish by size and move them to bigger tanks or other holding units
• Make regular checks on water temperature and oxygen content
• Clean filters and screens that trap leaves and other debris
• Treat water before releasing it back into the river
• Harvest fish when ready for sale
• Sell fish to the public and/or trade customers
• Maintain buildings, equipment and fish habitats

Fish farms are generally located in lochs and in the sea off the coast so you would need to be able to swim.

Many fish farms only have a few staff so managers often do many of the above tasks, as well as supervising fish farm workers. Some fish farms also provide facilities for anglers.

forestry officer

You would look after an area of forest to produce timber and conserve the woodland environment.

You would plan the planting and harvesting activities in the forest. You would lead a team of forestry workers and supervise their work.

It will be your responsibility to make sure that the trees in the forest are healthy and free from disease so the timber can be harvested.

Your work would help to conserve the woodland environment so that other plants and wildlife can flourish. You would also manage the facilities, like paths and signposts to help visitors enjoy the environment.

You would:

• Survey and inspect trees and sites
• Select and mark up timber to be harvested
• Plan, monitor and evaluate habitat management
• Manage the maintenance of machinery and equipment
• Maintain records of work
• Ensure that heath and safety policies are followed

You would follow the business plan for your area of woodland and manage the budget so you would need project management skills.

Depending where you work you may manage an individual site and report to a head forester who oversees work in several woodlands.

You might also require land management skills.

gardener

You would look after a garden or other green spaces like public parks, school and sports grounds so people can enjoy them all year round.

You would grow and care for all types of plants like flowers, trees, shrubs and lawns.

You would:

• Raise plants from seeds or cuttings
• Dig, plant and weed flower beds and borders
• Prune shrubs
• Check the health of plants by identifying any pests or diseases and controlling them
• Give plants food and water
• Use machinery such as lawn mowers, rotovators and hedge trimmers
• Maintain high levels of presentation in public parks and gardens
• Clean and maintain tools and equipment

You could also design planting schemes for gardens. You would use your knowledge of plants and creativity to select plants and position them so there’s something to see in the garden all year round.

You may also carry out basic building tasks, such as putting up sheds and building walls, fences and patios.

There are many different types of gardens you could work in, such as:

• Private gardens
• Green spaces around buildings
• Street plant displays
• Public parks and community gardens
• Botanical gardens like the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
• Historical gardens such as Inverewe Gardens in The Highlands or at heritage sites like Culzean Castle in Ayrshire

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If you work in a garden that is open to the public you might also answer questions from visitors or lead garden walks.

agricultural engineer

You would assess the techniques used by farmers and landowners and explain how they can improve their land.

You would plan and supervise construction projects to tackle environmental problems.

You would work with specialist machinery used in farming, forestry and horticulture. For example, you might design the all-terrain vehicles which can move over uneven ground in different weather conditions.

You would also help farmers, landowners and government departments understand issues such as crop diversity, sustainable land use and adapting to climate change.

You would:

• Assess the environmental impact of intensive agricultural production methods
• Supervise land drainage, reclamation and irrigation construction projects
• Solve agricultural engineering problems
• Test and install new equipment, such as harvesters, crop sprayers, storage facilities and logging machinery
• Analyse weather and GPS data, then use computer modelling to advise farmers and businesses how to improve their land use

Depending on the size of the company you work for, you might also manage and coordinate sales, or do marketing and technical support. It would be important to be willing to work flexibly.

You would need to keep up to date with new developments in technology and production methods.

countryside ranger

You would do practical work to look after the countryside and conserve wildlife and habitats.

You would repair paths, fences and signs to assist people who visit the countryside. When you speak with the public and answer questions about the wildlife and landscapes you’d be able to convey your enthusiaism about the natural environment.

You would:

• Plan and create habitats to conserve plants, animals and birds
• Plant trees, manage ponds and other practical tasks
• Do field surveys to monitor changes in the environment
• Patrol sites to help visitors and to discourage poaching or damage
• Give talks and lead guided walks
• Manage exhibitions and resource centres
• Take part in community projects
• Work with local landowners and businesses whose activities may affect the environment
• Keep records and write reports

As you would be using tools ands and equipment you would need an awareness of health and safety issues.

You could specialise in habitat management, fieldwork or education, or focus on managing certain types of habitat such as waterways, coasts or moorlands.

tree surgeon

You would keep trees healthy by carrying out work including planting, care and hazard checks.

You would:

• Assess the health of trees
• Prune, fell and plant trees in streets or parks
• Check for potential dangers from trees
• Control pests
• Remove snow to take the weight off branches
• Follow health and safety rules carefully

You will usually work from a rope and harness. You might also use elevated work platforms known as ‘cherry-pickers’.

veterinary nurse

You would give nursing care to sick and injured animals.

Your work would support a veterinary surgeon (vet). You would also play an important role in educating owners on good standards of animal care and welfare.

Many of the owners you talk to may be upset or anxious about their pets, so it would be important to have a kind and reassuring manner. You would also have to be very gentle with the animals you work with, as many of them will be fragile.

Tasks would vary with each animal, but in general you would:

• Prepare and carry out nursing care plans
• Hold animals and keep them calm during treatment
• Give injections and drugs as instructed by the vet
• Take blood, urine and other samples from animals, and carry out laboratory work at the practice
• Sterilise instruments
• Take x-rays
• Prepare animals for operations
• Help vets during operations
• Carry out minor procedures such as removing stitches
• Talk to clients about the care and progress of their animals
• Take care of animals staying in house (feeding, cleaning cages, grooming and exercising)
• Hold special clinics
• Give owners advice about caring for their animals

You might also have administration and reception duties.

gamekeeper

You would take care of the land used for shooting and fishing. You would organise recreational shooting, deer stalking and angling for clients.

You would make sure there is enough game such as deer, and birds like pheasant, partridge and grouse for clients to shoot. You would also make sure that rivers are well-stocked with fish for angling.

The tasks would vary according to the season, but you would:

• Plan and organise shoots and fishing parties
• Hire and supervise staff such as beaters to flush out birds during shoots
• Keep records of what is shot or caught and arrange the sale of game
• Train gun dogs and work with them
• Breed game birds for release into the wild
• Control predators such as foxes, crows and rats by shooting and trapping
• Protect game from poachers by patrolling the beat area at night
• Repair equipment, buildings and game pens and cleaning guns
• Clear woodland and burning heather
• Work with the police to deal with crime such as badger digging and hare coursing

You may also be responsible for developing plans for managing the game and habitat on a country estate. Depending on the size of the estate, you may also need to complete related paperwork and administration tasks.

If you work as a keeper to protect and manage rivers and streams as habitats for trout and salmon you would be known as a river keeper or ghillie.

You will need to be happy working on your own for long periods of time, and in remote areas, outdoors in all weather.

Working with firearms can be dangerous; you will require a good knowledge of health and safety and a mature attitude.

landscaper

You would construct, plant and look after gardens and parks to make pleasant environments for people to live, work and relax in.

You would make the most of the land or space you are working with to make it look attractive. Some landscapers specialise in interior projects with plants and garden features, often in shopping centres or large office blocks.

The work would vary depending on whether you are working inside or outside, the time of year and the condition of the space you are given. You would need to use a variety of tools, and possibly also machines like small mechanical diggers.

You would follow the designs drawn up by garden designers or landscape architects. You would use your knowledge of plants to ensure that they grow and thrive.

You would:

• Discuss requirements with clients
• Work from design plans
• Order supplies
• Prepare the ground or interior space
• Turf and seed lawns
• Plant and prune trees and shrubs
• Put in new plants
• Build features like paving, paths and water features
• Construct rock or water gardens

After completing a project, you would advise the client on how to look after the space. You would offer an on-going maintenance service.

farm manager

You would run a farm as a business, so you would plan which crops or livestock would be the most profitable. You would manage the farm workers, control the budget, and buy and sell the farm produce.

You could work on one of three main types of farm:

• Livestock, dealing with animals
• Arable, growing crops
• Mixed, producing both animals and crops

You could manage your own farm or be employed by owners or tenants of a farm to run it efficiently and profitably. You might run a whole farm or just part of it, such as a dairy unit.

You would need excellent business skills, a good head for figures and the ability to get the most out of your team.

Depending on the type of farm you worked on you would:

• Plan how the farm will run over the coming year
• Set budget and production targets
• Buy and sell animals or produce
• Keep financial records and records of livestock and/or crops
• Recruit, train and supervise staff
• Work with vets to monitor animals for infection and disease
• Work with officials on areas like habitat conservation

On smaller farms, you may do practical farm work, such as looking after livestock, driving tractors and other machinery, and harvesting crops.

You would also be expected to find and develop new activities to keep the farm profitable. So you could also have responsibility for other activities where the business has diversified. For example there may be a farm shop, horse riding facilities or accommodation for tourists.

dog groom

You would help dog owners keep their dog’s coat healthy and looking good. You would advise them about coat care, grooming and diet.

You would need to be confident with dogs and be able to handle the animals firmly but gently. You would have to be patient with them so you can calm and control nervous dogs.

With each owner, you would discuss the grooming they would like, whether the dog is used to being groomed and the best way to handle the animal.

It would be important to start by checking for any sore areas or lumps on the dog's skin, and for fleas or parasites.

You would then

• Carefully shape the dog's coat with electric clippers or a stripping knife
• Shampoo and dry the dog's coat
• Give it a final trim with scissors

Sometimes you would also clip the dog's claws and clean its teeth and ears.

You would often follow standards for how different breeds should look – for example, poodles are usually clipped to a particular shape. This is particularly important when dogs are being prepared for a show.

veterinary

You would diagnose and treat sick animals. You would probably work in general practice, with pets, farm and zoo animals. You may work with all of these types of animals, or specialise in just one.

Many of the owners you talk to may be upset or anxious about their pets, so it would be important to have a kind and reassuring manner. You would also have to be very gentle with the animals you work with, as many of them will be fragile.

As a vet in general practice you would:

• Diagnose and treat sick and injured animals
• Perform operations on animals who need them
• Carry out a range of tests such as X-rays and scans
• Care for animal in-patients
• Carry out health checks, give vaccinations and give owners advice on animal care
• Check farm animals and advise on how to stop diseases spreading
• Neuter animals to stop them breeding
• Put severely injured or terminally ill animals to sleep
• Supervise veterinary nurses and support staff
• Keep records of the treatments that you carry out

You might also be involved in inspecting hygiene and care standards in zoos, kennels, catteries, riding stables, pet shops and cattle markets.

You could also work in the public sector. You would then help prevent and control animal and human diseases, such as foot and mouth disease, and assess the safety of food processing plants and abattoirs.

Another option would be working in industry, supervising the production of drugs, chemicals and biological products.

waste management officer

You would organise and manage waste disposal, collection and recycling facilities. You may be responsible for waste treatment and street cleaning operations. Some posts combine waste management and recycling functions, while others split them into separate jobs.

It is the responsibility of the waste management industry to dispose of waste safely, with due consideration for the environment and while conforming to government regulations.

As a waste management officer, you will need to:

• Oversee waste management schemes, such as at landfill sites
• Supervise the transportation of waste to ensure that it takes place efficiently without contaminating air, land or water sources
• Assist with the development, promotion and implementation of new waste disposal schemes
• Ensure compliance with current legislation in the transportation, handling and disposal of waste
• Formulate and control the budget for waste disposal
• Collate statistics and compile reports often to strict deadlines
• Monitor the quality and performance of waste services, including contract management of external providers
• Assist with the development of information and promotional materials
• Aim to meet waste reduction and recycling targets
• Deal with enquiries and complaints from members of the public both in person and by phone or email
• Investigate and follow up claims of the illegal dumping of waste and work with other waste regulation enforcement staff
• Consult with residents, community groups, councillors, housing associations and traders' associations about waste management issues, identify their requirements and provide appropriate solutions
• Develop research projects and contribute to the activities of national groups concerned with waste disposal
• At a senior level, you are likely to have responsibility for multimillion-pound budgets

woodland officer

You would have the responsibility of managing designated forest/woodland areas and will oversee activities such as timber production, conservation and recreation.

You will also manage other associated matters, such as commercial interests, biodiversity and public access. Establishing a balance between competing economic and social demands for forest and land use can present a challenge. This may mean you become involved in the creation of multipurpose forests, sustainable forest management and the regeneration of native woodlands.

As a forest/woodland manager, you will need to:

• Advise clients on good forestry practice and provide a contract service to woodland owners, including those interested in acquiring land for establishment of new forests
• Advise woodland owners on the most appropriate tree species (whether by planting or natural regeneration), and on budgeting, public access, ecological surveys and forest certification
• Organise the growing, harvesting, marketing and sale of timber
• Plan and implement annual work programmes and ensure the effective use of resources to meet the current objectives of the forest area
• Supervise forest workers and contractors in the field, which may involve negotiating with subcontracting companies
• Liaise with customers, landowners, timber merchants, the public and local authorities
• liaise with other professionals, such as landscape architects, archaeologists, biologists, geologists, chartered surveyors and engineers
• Liaise with charitable bodies
• attend meetings
• Keep up to date with changes in legislation and other developments in the industry
• Work to and maintain globally recognised forest certification
• plan and control budgets and prepare costing and financial forecasts
• Promote the expansion of new woodland coverage and, where possible, the restoration of ancient woodland in the UK.

You may also carry out the following tasks, in relation to forest protection:

• Conduct research in areas such as silviculture, pathology, tree improvement and entomology
• monitor existing forestry practices
• protect forests from illegal felling, pests and diseases
• Ensure that forests are not detrimentally affecting the environment and wildlife around them, by damaging wildlife habitats, water supplies or soil.